After an outstanding first up run on the Pakenham Synthetic track last start, Aurolaa was poised to run a big race at the same track and distance yesterday.
He was strong out of the machines with Will Price rolling forward and sitting on the speed. His task was not made easy, setting a strong gallop with a horse to the inside and being attacked by two gallopers unable to cross. Will held his nerve and rated the horse really well, keeping the outside horses wider on the track. With 200m to go it seemed the Stokes trained Kapanku had loomed up outside him and the race was getting away from us, but a couple of well timed cracks with the whip from Will saw Aurolaa fight back strongly in a head bobbing finish to score in a photo.
We were really proud of his effort today, given the amount of dead weight he was carrying and the adversity he faced in the run. There’s more in store for Aurolaa this preparation and coming back a more mature horse should hold him in good stead to be competitive and move through the grades. Congratulations to a patient ownership group – the rewards will keep coming
